Javert: The Righteous VillainKyle R. KeenanCollege

“Les Miserables” by Victor Hugo is one of the most unique and powerful stories of redemption of all time. This story is unique in many different ways; from its diverse cast of characters to its meticulous blend of storylines. One of the truly unique aspects of “Les Mis” is the character of Javert, the principal antagonist. The factor that makes Javert so unique is that rather than the atypical “bad guy” of modern literature, Javert is a complex individual with a decided sense of justice and morality. Indeed, only in such a thoughtful and religious novel like “Les Mis” could Javert even be considered an antagonist. As one analyses the intricate themes of “Les Mis”, it can be seen that very deliberate writing was required to successfully create this character. Given a simple description of Javert and his actions, one might not immediately deduce that he is in fact an antagonist. Succinctly put, Javert is a police inspector, totally dedicated to his work, zealous for justice to the point of obsession, and morally upstanding. This could quite easily be the description of the...